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| Original Call Letters: WLAK |
| Originally Licensed: May 1936 |
| Original City of License: Lakeland |
| Original Frequency: 1430 |
| Origin of Call Letters: Location; LaKeland Florida |
| Original Power: 250 Watts |
| Translator: W244BJ-FM 96.7-Frostproof 2014 |
| Original Location: Shore Acres, East Lime St. |
| Original Format: Block Programming |
Network Affiliation(s): |
NBC |
| ABC | |
| Westwood One | |
| Premiere Radio Networks |
Owner(s): |
1936-Lake Region Broadcasting Co. |
| 1941-Bradley R. Eidmann ($13,000) | |
| 1942-Lakeland Broadcasting Corp. ($23,000) | |
| 1958-Florida Central Broadcasting Co. ($300,000) | |
| 1963-Sentinel Broadcasting Co. | |
| 1971-Hugh Holder Enterprises | |
| 1978-Bob Kelly | |
| 1983-Root Communications | |
| 1996-Hall Communications ($550,000) |
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History Of Call Letters and Formats: |
WLAK-1936-Variety on 1310 |
| WLAK-1946-MOR (Moved to 1430) | |
| WQPD-1971-Top 40 | |
| WLKF-1983-Adult Contemporary | |
| WLKF-1983-News/Talk | |
| WLKF-1996-News Talk Information |
| WLKF History From the WLKF website The station got its start on May 15, 1936 with a different name (WLAK) and a different frequency (1310). Over the years, it has passed under various ownerships, moved across the dial (1340 then 1430), and changed its call letters (WQPD then WLKF). It probably wouldn’t be too hard to figure out that our call letters stand for, but for the record; W (first letter designated for stations east of the Mississippi River by the FCC), LK (abbreviation for Lakeland), and F (for Florida). A great place to read about the complete history of WLKF is on a website named Radio Years, created by Jim Maloy here. |
More WLKF History (1980s) In 1983 the call letters changed when Root Communications of Daytona Beach bought WQPD and changed the calls to WLKF. After a a short time programming an Adult Contemporary format, the on air talent were released and the format was switched to an automated News/Talk format. The 1980’s saw the offices and studios temporarily relocated to the Todd McKay Building in downtown Lakeland while the former WLAK building on East Lime Street underwent renovations. When the work was completed, WLKF and WVFM-FM 94.1, moved back in. Since 1996, Hall Communications has owned WLKF. |
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 Lynne Breidenbach-1993-"Talk Back"-Hall Communications In Memory |
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| Bob Crews-2002-Program Director-Hall Communications | |
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Andrea Oliver-2002-News Director/Public Affairs Director-Hall Communications |
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 Seth Mela-2008-Host/Executive Producer-"Mayhem in the AM"-Hall Communications |
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 Dale Sellers-2008-Co-Host/Producer-"Mayhem in the AM"-Hall Communications |
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 Chris Rhoden-2013-2021-Hall Communications |
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 Eric Metaxas-2015-10PM-Midnight-(syndicated by Salem Communications Corp)-Hall Communications |
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 Doris Moore Bailey-"Update"-Sun-5PM-6PM-Hall Communications |
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| David Kaylor, Brent Geohagan & Mark McMann-"The Kaylor Law Hour"-Mon-5PM-6PM-Hall Communications | |
Loura & “The Coach”-"REAL Success Radio"-Tues-5PM-6PM-Hall Communications |
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 Laura J. Hawley-"Dollars and Sense"-Wed-5PM-6PM-Hall Communications |
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Other Names in WLKF History |
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| J.E.P. Marchant-1936-President-Lake Region Broadcasting Co. | |
| Bert Arnold-1936-Station Manager-Lake Region Broadcasting Co. | |
| D.M. Brown-1936-Sales Manager-Lake Region Broadcasting Co. | |
| James H. Jones-1936-Commercial Manager-Lake Region Broadcasting Co. | |
| Gordon Fletcher-1936-Program Director-Lake Region Broadcasting Co. | |
| Elvan B. Wilson-1936-Musical Director-Lake Region Broadcasting Co. | |
| Powell Hunter-1936-Chief Engineer-Lake Region Broadcasting Co. | |
| Tom Rusk-1986-Regional Sales Manager-Root Communications | |
| Bonnie Rowbotham-2002-Chairman-Hall Communications | |
| Arthur Rowbotham-2002-President-Hall Communications | |
| Bill Baldwin, Sr.-2002-Vice President-Hall Communications | |
| Steve Howard-2002-Station Manager-Hall Communications | |
| Nancy Cattarius-2002-General Sales Manager/General Manager-Hall Communications | |
| Tunie Moss-2002-Promotions Director-Hall Communications | |
 Steve Tuzeneu-2023-Chief Engineer-Hall Communications |
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 Dick Bennick-(Dr. Paul Bearer)-Sales-Hall Communications In Memory |
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Jessica Brown-Promotion Director-Hall Communications |
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| Biographies | In Memory | Sounds AM / FM |
Misc. | Chronology | What's News? |
